The latest FIFA Men's World Ranking for July 2026 has been released, with Spain moving back to the number one position following their successful 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Spain climbed to the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking after defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final on 19 July. The result secured Spain's second World Cup title and allowed La Roja to reclaim the position they had previously held earlier in the year.
The official FIFA ranking update was published on 20 July 2026. Spain now sit first with 1,995.88 points, while Argentina dropped to second with 1,970.37 points after losing the World Cup final.
France occupy third place, while England moved into fourth following their strong World Cup campaign. Brazil complete the top five.
FIFA Men's World Ranking — July 2026 Top Five
Position Team Points
1 Spain 1,995.88
2 Argentina 1,970.37
3 France 1,948.97
4 England 1,922.83
5 Brazil —
Spain's rise is closely connected to their World Cup success. Luis de la Fuente's team went through a difficult tournament schedule before eventually lifting the trophy, defeating Argentina in the final after extra time. FIFA confirmed that Spain had reclaimed the summit after previously surrendering the top position in April.
The July ranking also reflects the impact of the 2026 World Cup on international football. FIFA's latest update followed 105 matches in the ranking period, including 104 matches from the World Cup itself. As a result, several national teams experienced significant changes in their positions.
One of the biggest movers was Norway, who climbed 12 places into the top 20 after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals. Morocco also achieved their highest-ever FIFA ranking, moving to sixth after an impressive tournament.
Mexico also returned to the top 10 for the first time since March 2022, while the Democratic Republic of Congo and several other nations also improved their positions following their World Cup performances.
The July FIFA ranking is particularly significant because it comes immediately after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. Spain's position at the summit therefore reflects both their tournament-winning campaign and the ranking points accumulated during the latest international match period.
The ranking is not simply determined by which team wins a tournament. FIFA's system considers factors including match results, the importance of the match, the relative strength of the opponents and the expected result.
FIFA's official ranking page lists 20 July 2026 as the latest official update, with the next official update scheduled for 7 October 2026.
For now, Spain are officially the world's top-ranked men's national team.
Why it matters
Spain's return to No. 1 in the FIFA World Ranking gives another major recognition to their successful 2026 World Cup campaign.
Winning the World Cup and immediately returning to the top of the FIFA rankings places Spain in a strong position internationally. The team combined tournament success with consistent performances against several high-level opponents, eventually beating Argentina in the final.
The change at the top is also significant for Argentina. The reigning 2022 World Cup champions had occupied the No. 1 position before Spain reclaimed it. Their defeat in the 2026 final means Argentina now begin the next international cycle ranked second in the world.
France and England also remain among the leading nations. England's fourth-place ranking is notable after they reached the latter stages of the World Cup and finished third, while France also reached the semi-finals before losing the bronze-medal match to England.
Another interesting development is the rise of teams outside the traditional top positions. Morocco's climb to sixth and Norway's move into the top 20 demonstrate how strong World Cup performances can have a major effect on the FIFA rankings.
The July ranking should therefore provide an important benchmark for international football heading into the next FIFA ranking period.
Sources and reporting basis
Reporting basis: Official FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking, FIFA ranking update published 20 July 2026, and FIFA's official report on Spain returning to the top after winning the 2026 F.